Sermons
Prayer & Worship Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide This Sunday we will spend extended time in worship and prayer. To prepare for our worship gathering, take some time to reflect on Jesus’ famous words in John 15 about abiding in him. Following the reflection is our latest all-church axiom, Prayer Is the Path to Spiritual Vitality, and some discussion questions based…
Read MoreTaking the Torch – Acts 28:17-31: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Rome – The home of the Roman Empire, which spanned much of the Mediterranean region in the 1st century. Christians were present in Rome by the 40’s AD and the city would eventually become the base of the Catholic Church. Sect – Also used in Acts to describe Pharisees and Sadducees,…
Read MoreA Non-Anxious Presence in a Shipwreck World – Acts 27:1-28:16: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Syrtis – An area of quicksand and shoals off the coast of Libya widely known as an extremely dangerous area for sailors. Malta – An island in the Mediterranean Sea located between Italy and Libya. Luke calls the people on Malta barbaroi (meaning “non-Greek speakers”), which reveals they were likely a…
Read MoreThe Way of the Cross – Acts 21:37-26:32: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Felix – Felix was a former slave who was promoted to governor over Judea and Samaria by Claudius Caesar. Agrippa – One of the Roman appointed Jewish rulers of Israel who was part of the Herod family. Caesar – Originating from Julius Caesar, the title “Caesar” came to be applied to…
Read MoreTrusting God With the Hard Stuff of Life – Acts 21:1-36: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Philip – One of the seven chosen to help with the daily food distribution in Acts 6. Because of persecution in Jerusalem, Philip went to Samaria where he proclaimed Jesus and eventually became known as an evangelist (v. 8). Prophecy – The exact nature of prophecy and what it means to…
Read MoreLeave it all on the Field – Paul’s Final Encouragement to the Elders at Ephesus – Acts 20:1-38: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms The first day of the week – The first time in the NT where we see Christians meeting together on Sunday. The connection to “breaking bread,” most commonly understood as a reference to communion, seems to indicate this is a formal Sunday gathering of the church. By the end of the…
Read MoreIs Jesus Lord? – Acts 19:1-41: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Ephesus – Ephesus was a prominent Roman city known for its large amphitheater, which could hold around 25,000 people, and its temple to Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Artemis – Artemis was a goddess portrayed in both Greek and Roman mythology (called Diana by…
Read MoreReal-time Discipleship – Acts 18:1-28:Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Corinth – A prominent Greek city approximately 40 miles west of Athens. Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half and wrote two NT letters (1 & 2 Corinthians) to the church there. Aquila and Priscilla – Aquila was a Jewish man from Asia Minor and Priscilla was a…
Read MoreBridges and Barriers – Acts 17:16-34: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Athens – The home of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, Athens was a leading intellectual city. What stands out to Paul, though, is that the city was full of idols (v. 16). The word translated full is not used elsewhere in the NT or other Greek literature, but conveys the idea of…
Read MoreA More Noble People – Acts 17:1-15: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Thessalonica and Berea – Two cities located in 1st century Macedonia and modern-day Greece. Paul wrote two of his NT letters (1 and 2 Thessalonians) to the church in Thessalonica. The Christ – The focus of Paul’s preaching in Thessalonica and Berea is that Jesus is the Christ (or Messiah). Many 1st century…
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